One of my all-time favorite dishes to prepare has always been spaghetti and meatballs. In my opinion, this meal is fabulous any time of the year and comes together quite easily! Add a tossed salad and a crusty loaf of bread and you’re set! Barely tall enough to see the top of the stove, I often remember watching my Mom …

No, you’re not dreaming … Life Bellissima is finally back, and it feels wonderful! It’s been an incredibly busy week, no weeks — getting back into our school routine, starting after-school activities, dealing with a certain cold bug that was mentioned in a previous blog, chasing a dozen hens our of the neighbor’s yard (many times) … well, you …

Although our trees are only starting to turn yellow, in a few short weeks, this picture will be a very accurate autumn view. The days are still very pleasant — warm and sun-kissed with gentle breezes blowing through our now open windows. The air conditioning is most likely turned off for the year, and soon it will be time for …

Here it is September already! Almost overnight, we are feeling the gentle changes that will carry us into the autumn season. Much cooler evenings, the sun setting earlier and an abundance of pears, grapes and apples from my Mom’s garden. The chickens are also discovering the joys of this late-summer season — a vast amount of fresh fruit ripe for …

As I mentioned in my previous post, visiting a Farmer’s Market is enough to get my cooking juices flowing, and suddenly I want to eat vegetarian because everything available is that good. I also feel a bit like a squirrel, wanting to savor and store up all these wonderful flavors! For me, some of the most flavorful meals are the simplest — …

The Farmer’s Market is something I look forward to throughout the year! One whiff of all the locally-grown fruits and vegetables immediately fuels my passion to get in the kitchen and cook — tomato sauce, eggplant dishes, baked zucchini, fresh salsa, fruit salads, and bodacious corn-on-the-cob to name but a few! The aroma is so inviting — I can almost …

Ahh, gelato. The very mention of this delicious dessert immediately inspires images of picturesque Italian streets that gently wind through a small, endearing village. Children run and play, laughing happily, as Jonathan, the girls and I walk with our assorted flavors from the local gelateria. Perhaps you’ve seen gelato images like this or this on Pinterest and know exactly what I’m talking …

Summer is flying by like a whirlwind, and we are enjoying each and every sun-filled day! Last week, we traveled south and had a wonderful time visiting family in the San Francisco Bay Area. Whenever we visit my parents-in-law, Richard and Fran, there are a few things we can be sure of: 1.We will experience extraordinary food. Yes, the Bay …

It’s been a busy season for our little farm! Our animals continue to bring us so much joy, and I often wonder why we didn’t get chickens sooner — they are so delightful and full of personality! Unfortunately, farm life also has its hard times as we had to say good-bye to one of our our sweet Rhode Island Reds, …

One of the many reasons I love summer is due to the vast amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that are so readily available! Is there anything more tasty than a cherry, apricot, peach or pear picked ripe from the tree? I think not. The flavors are incredible, and the pure joy of smelling the fruit as you pick it …